Communications Authority press release
**************************************
This press release summarises the decision of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 150th meeting held in March 2026.
Further amendments of network and service rollout obligations for spectrum assigned in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands (26/28 GHz bands) for provision of large-scale public mobile services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CA, having considered the requests jointly submitted by three spectrum assignees in the 26/28 GHz bands for the provision of large-scale public mobile services, namely China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited and SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited (Spectrum Assignees), decided to further amend the network and service rollout obligations imposed on them by postponing each of the three network and service rollout milestones by around 15 months. After the amendments, the Spectrum Assignees will be required to install and put into use 20 per cent of the minimum number of radio units (i.e. 500 radio units) by July 31, 2027, an addition of 30 per cent (i.e. 750 radio units) by July 31, 2028, and an addition of the remaining 50 per cent (i.e. 1 250 radio units) by July 31, 2029. Thus, the periods of the relevant performance bonds for guaranteeing compliance with the network and service rollout obligations will be amended accordingly.
Due to the present supply shortage of radio network equipment and user devices supporting the 26/28 GHz bands, coupled with the fact that there is currently no demand for large-scale use cases using the bands, the CA decided to accede to the request of the Spectrum Assignees to postpone the completion of relevant network and service rollout obligations having regard to the latest situation. The requirement imposed on the Spectrum Assignees to install and put into use no less than 2 500 radio units within the specified period remains unchanged.
Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN